Course Overview
Attendance
* Price per academic year
Course summary
Our degree courses with foundation year offer the opportunity to prepare you for advanced study before you progress onto a full honours degree at the University of Westminster. Whether you do not feel ready for degree-level study, don’t have the right qualifications, want to change your subject specialism or return to study after an absence from education, we aim to encourage a broad range of students to undertake our foundation year in order to progress onto their full honours degree with us.
The foundation year is designed to give you the opportunity to explore new ideas, opening up new perspectives on the key debates within your chosen field. Core modules accelerate your academic and professional development, bringing together like-minded students to think about the ‘big ideas’ within your discipline. You will also take modules from areas closely related to your chosen field, giving you the chance to develop a cross-disciplinary perspective on your course.
On successful completion of the foundation year, you will be able to move on to study for the International Relations BA Honours degree over a further three years study.
This course enables you to develop a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of the international system and to relate this to contemporary developments in international relations. It provides a theoretical framework for understanding the distribution of power at the global, regional and national levels.
You'll focus particularly on the changing dynamics of international security and the challenges of state-building within contemporary international relations. This course is linked to the renowned Security and International Relations research programme in the Centre for the Study of Democracy. The Centre regularly invites high-profile speakers to our central London campus for seminars, public lectures and conferences to which you will be invited as a student.
With excellent links to employers, this course offers you the opportunity to advance your knowledge in an applied setting. You will also gain the transferable and cognitive skills necessary for lifelong personal and professional development.
Our graduates go on to develop careers in various sectors, including the Civil Service, NGOs, international organisations such as the EU or UN, policy and research, teaching, journalism, and politics.
As a student on this course, you have the opportunity to spend either one optional year abroad or one optional year in a professional placement.
If you choose to go abroad, you can complete a work or volunteering placement, undertake a year of study at one of our partner universities, or a combination of the two. The year abroad provides a valuable opportunity to boost employability, enhance language skills and build international experience, something which is highly valued by employers. It also encourages intercultural awareness and capability, qualities of self-reliance and other skills which will further enable you to become a mobile and transnational citizen.
If you choose the professional experience option, you will have the opportunity to focus on preparing for a future career by working in a relevant organisation for an extended period. You can develop your understanding of the qualities and skills needed in high quality employment, and a critical awareness of the career pathways for which the degree prepares you.
The course is based in the School of Social Sciences, which brings together Criminology, Politics and International Relations, Psychology and Sociology. What binds us together is our shared commitment to making education a transformative experience for our students, to conducting research that makes a difference to the social world, and to enhancing the diversity of ideas and identities within and beyond the University.
We are in the centre of one of the world’s greatest cities and we use this vibrant, multicultural setting to ensure that our students discover innovative solutions to global problems. We are ranked top 20 in the world for the percentage of international students (Times Higher Education World University rankings 2021). As a School, we also host the world-renowned Centre for the Study of Democracy. The Centre undertakes research across a range of critical challenges to the theory and practice of politics, international relations, sociology and criminology. We also have an innovative initiative called the Democratic Education Network, which facilitates dialogue and the sharing of knowledge between our students, international universities and diasporic communities in London.
Top reasons to study with us
- A global environment – We are ranked top 20 in the world for the percentage of international students (Times Higher Education World University rankings 2021)
- International experience - the course includes a year studying, working or volunteering abroad, helping students to develop international experience
- Expert speakers – The Centre for the Study of Democracy regularly invites high-profile speakers to our central London campus location for seminars, public lectures and conferences
Course structure
Teaching and learning includes small group work, problem-based tutorials, review sessions, workshops, symposia, debates, Q&A sessions, document analysis sessions, and structured role-plays.
Assessment methods are wide-ranging on this course and include essays, exams, policy reports, project work, individual and group presentations, blogs, posters, and debates.
Students on this course have the opportunity to spend one optional year abroad or one optional year gaining professional experience.
The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.
Subjects of study include:
- Introduction to Academic Practice
- Intercultural Communication
- Imagining Global Society and Politics
- Critical Thinking for Academic and Professional Development
- History, Memory and Belonging
- Rights and the Law
There are no optional or elective modules offered at Level 3, as the focus is on the development of key academic skills through a broad understanding of social sciences and humanities.
Credit Level 3
Our teaching programme is structured to support your transition to higher education, with the first year designed to immerse you in key concepts, case studies and questions in politics, international relations and development studies.
Subjects of study include:
- British Politics
- Critical Perspectives on Global Politics
- Democracy in Crisis
- Dilemmas of International Development
- Global Governance and the Development
- Introduction to International Relations
- Political Ideas in Action
- The Politics of Migration
Credit Level 4
In the second year, you will be encouraged to think about the global dimensions of international security, examining the contemporary challenges to states, citizens and the globe in the post-Cold War era. You will be encouraged to think imaginatively about ideas in international relations, especially as it relates to the geopolitics of states, regions and territories within world politics today.
Subjects of study include:
- Democracy and Development in Asia and Africa
- Geopolitics
- Global Security
- Governance in Europe
- International Political Economy
- Learning in an International Environment
- Middle East Politics
- Political Research and Practice
- Politics and International Relations Internship
- Power and the State
- Rethinking Development
- The Politics of Killing
- Theorising Politics and International Relations
Credit Level 5
Students on this course have the opportunity to either spend one optional year abroad or one year gaining professional experience.
If you go abroad, you may complete a work or volunteering placement, both of which provide valuable opportunities to boost your employability and ground your studies in an experiential setting. You may also undertake a study placement at one of our university partners. You can also undertake a combination of both study and work.
Find out more about the costs involved in taking a study abroad or placement year.
If you choose the professional experience option, you will be able to develop your understanding of the qualities and skills needed in high quality employment and gain a critical awareness of the career pathways for which the degree prepares you.
In your third year, you will examine the ways in which sovereignty has been transformed through recent debates about human rights, humanitarian intervention, ethics, and state responsibility within the new era of global politics.
Subjects of study include:
- American Power in a Multipolar World
- Contested Sovereignty: Territory, Borders and Resistance
- Digital Politics
- Dissertation
- Equality, Justice, Citizenship
- Ethics, Morality and World Order(s)
- Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
- Gender and Politics
- Humanitarian Intervention and International Relations
- Learning from NGOs in an International Context
- Policy and Practice
- Politics and Development in the Middle East
- Postcolonial Politics and International Relations
- Radical Democracy
- Security and the Surveillance State
- Special Topic in Politics and International Relations
- The Politics of Protest: Social and Political Movements Today
Credit Level 6
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
Live chat with us
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
Open days
Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.
Can't attend? See more open events
Careers
International experience
You'll have the opportunity to spend a year working or volunteering abroad, providing valuable international experience and improving your employability.
Excellent career prospects
Previous graduates have forged careers in the Civil Service, the EU and the UN.
Employers around the world
The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.
Career development
This course has excellent links with employers and offers you the opportunity to advance your knowledge of international relations in an applied setting.
You'll have the option to spend a year working or volunteering abroad, providing valuable experience and helping to boost your employability. Graduates with international experience are particularly valued by employers, and a year working or volunteering abroad will help to develop your language skills, build your confidence and provide networking opportunities that could be beneficial to your career.
Graduate employers and job roles
Our graduates go on to develop careers in various sectors, including:
- The Civil Service
- International organisations such as the EU or UN
- Journalism
- NGOs
- Policy and research
- Politics
- Teaching
International Opportunities
Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.
Opportunities could include:
- Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
- Attending an international summer school or field trip
- Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad
International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.
Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.
Course Leaders
Dr Catherine Charrett
Senior Lecturer
Dr Catherine Chiniara Charrett is a Senior Lecturer in Global Politics in the School of Social Sciences at the University of Westminster. They teach and write on indigenous and anticolonial perspectives on sovereignty, with a focus on European-Palestinian relations. Their areas of research include race and racism, carceral modalities, colonial police forces, empire and diplomacy, and their work relies on queer methods.
Dr Chinara Charrett holds a BSc in International Relations and Political Science from the University of British Columbia, an MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics, and a PhD in International Relations from Aberystwyth University.
More about meSee full profile of Dr Catherine CharrettDr Frands Pedersen
Senior Lecturer in International Relations
Dr Frands Pedersen is Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for the Foundation Courses in Humanities, Law and Social Sciences and the Diplomacy and Global Politics MA. He has Master's degrees in Political Science (Aarhus, Denmark) and Diplomacy (Lancaster). He received his PhD for his thesis on Para-diplomacy, which is an ongoing research interest alongside Public Diplomacy and Digital, Data and AI Diplomacy. He convenes the Teaching Excellence Learning Community at Westminster and the Political Studies Association’s Nordic Politics Specialist Group. He is also co-founder of the Serious Games@Westminster group.
Dr Pedersen has led Diplomacy, International Relations and European Union related modules at the Universities of Surrey, Central Lancashire and Westminster since 1999. In 2016, he was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in recognition of his contribution to innovation in learning and teaching. He is passionate about active and immersive learning and has conducted extensive research on simulations and games, run projects and created shared resources to facilitate active learning. Dr Pedersen's current research focuses on Nordic responses to the Covid19 crisis, aspects of digital diplomacy and city diplomacy, and pedagogical research on compassion in higher education.
More about meSee full profile of Dr Frands Pedersen
The safe and compassionate learning environment we have here encourages students to explore new ideas, grow their subject-knowledge, and expand their skills and build confidence.
Course Team
Some of the other experts who will teach you include:
- Professor Dibyesh Anand - DVC Global Engagement & Employability
- Dr Greg Aasen - Staff
- Dr Ipshita Basu - Reader in Global Development and Politics
- Dr Elisabetta Brighi - Lecturer in International Relations
- Dr Patrick Burke - Senior Lecturer
- Professor David Chandler - Professor
- Dr Catherine Charrett - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Daniel Conway - Reader in Politics and International Relations
- Dr Bridget Cotter - Lecturer
- Dr Hannah Cross - Senior Lecturer
- Professor Roland Dannreuther - Professor
- Dr Matthew Fluck - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Magdalena Frennhoff Larsen - Reader
- Dr Dan Greenwood - Reader in Political Economy and Public Policy
- Dr Aidan Hehir - Reader in International Relations
- Professor Nitasha Kaul - Professor of Politics, International Relations, and Critical Interdisciplinary Studies
- Rob Macmaster - Principal Lecturer
- Dr Farhang Morady - Reader
- Dr Wojciech Ostrowski - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Frands Pedersen - Senior Lecturer in International Relations
- Professor Sam Raphael - Professor
- Professor Graham Smith - Professor of Politics
- Dr Sahar Taghdisi Rad - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Ali Tajvidi - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Paulina Tambakaki - Senior Lecturer
Why study this course?
Democratic Education Network
The Democratic Education Network is a student-led organisation that promotes social action through local and international projects. It also provides opportunities to transform your ideas into reality and make a real difference.
International experience
All students have the opportunity to spend a year abroad, working, volunteering or studying at one of our partner universities, giving them invaluable international experience.
High-profile speakers
The Centre for the Study of Democracy regularly invites high-profile speakers for seminars, public lectures and conferences to which you will be invited as a student.
Democratic and Education Network
The Democratic Education Network (DEN) is an academic, student-led organisation, part of the Department of Politics and International Relations.
It promotes social action and student engagement through local and international projects that solidify and enhance your experiences. It also provides numerous opportunities to transform your ideas into reality and make a real difference.
Check out our blog 'Inside Westminster' and visit the DEN website.
Entry Requirements
- A Levels - DDE (64 UCAS Tariff points)
- T levels – 64 UCAS Tariff points
- International Baccalaureate - 64 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
- BTEC Extended Diploma - MPP
- BTEC Diploma - MM
- Access - 64 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
In addition to one of the above, you should have:
- GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher Level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.
View more information about our entry requirements and the application process
- International Baccalaureate – 64 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
- We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
- We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.
English language requirements
- If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
- If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.
More information
Studying with us
Learn new skills
Learn a new language
From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme.
Develop your entrepreneurial skills
Our award-winning Westminster Enterprise Network offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects.
Gain extra qualifications
We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Funding
As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.
Find out about undergraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme
If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.
International student funding
Find out about funding for international students.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
Teaching and Assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you'll be taught
Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you'll be assessed
Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.
Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
- Written exams: end of semester exams
- Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Data from the academic year 2022/23
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
Course location
Our Regent Campus is comprised of two sites, situated on and around Regent Street – one of the most famous and vibrant streets in London.
Subjects including Criminology and Sociology, English and Creative Writing, History, Languages, Politics and International Relations and Visual Culture are based at 309 Regent Street, which includes recently refurbished social spaces, gym facilities and our Regent Street Cinema.
For more details, visit our locations page.
Contact us
Call our dedicated team on:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
Your Westminster
Book an open day. Order a prospectus. Sign up for newsletters.